Train!

I'm sure many of you can relate to this, but when you live somewhere, you kind of take for granted all the stuff that people who visit your city want to go see and do. It's kind of like you'd rather be a "local" than a "tourist". And sometimes there's a reason for that... Maybe you just don't have time to do stuff like you do when you're on vacation. Maybe you're protesting the overpriced touristy attractions. Whatever it is, it seems to be a typical scenario for a lot of people, even those who live in popular tourist areas.

We decided that we needed to get out and start doing some local things. for several reasons. One, it gives us a chance to get out and spend some time as a family. Two, we get to know the area better and are better able to make recommendations for things to do when people do come to visit. And three, well, do we need another reason? It's just fun!

Ever since riding the trains in the Atlanta airport after her last plane trip, Anna has been wanting to ride a train. So, we decided to take a trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It's a seasonal train that runs from Blue Ridge, GA up to McCaysville, GA. The train track runs right alongside the Toccoa river for a good portion of the way. The scenery is beautiful although the wheels needed a little greasing as they squeaked a little loud!

The trip consists of an hour long train ride to McCaysville where you get a 2 hour stop to look around town and then re-board the train for the hour long return trip. McCaysville, GA is actually only half of the town. The Georgia/Tennessee state line runs right down the middle of the main street in downtown. The portion of the city that is in Georgia is McCaysville, but the portion of the town north of the border is called Copper Hill, TN. They even have the state line drawn as a dashed line on the ground through the middle of town!

We took a picnic lunch with us and ate it at a nearby park just along the river bank. All in all it was a great trip (aside from the squeaking wheels!) and we all had a great day. Naps for all when we got home!